Robert Patterson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Robert Patterson
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Robert Patterson, portrait made during Mexican-American War
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| Born | January 12, 1792 Cappagh, County Tyrone, Ireland |
| Died | August 7, 1881 (aged 89) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Place of burial |
Laurel Hill Cemetery, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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| Allegiance | United States of America Union |
| Service/ |
Regular Army Union Army |
| Years of service | 1812–1815; 1846–1848; 1861 |
| Rank |  Major General |
| Commands held | Pennsylvania Militia Army of the Shenandoah |
| Battles/wars | Mexican–American War |
| Other work | cotton miller, writer |
Robert Patterson (born January 12, 1792 – died August 7, 1881) was an important military leader from Ireland who became a major general in the United States Army. He fought in the American Civil War. People remember him for two main things: he won an early battle against Stonewall Jackson, but he also failed to stop another Confederate general, Joseph E. Johnston, from joining forces with P. G. T. Beauregard. This failure was a big reason why the Union Army lost the First Battle of Bull Run.
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Early Life and First War
Robert Patterson was born in Cappagh, County Tyrone, Ireland. His family had to leave Ireland because his father was involved in a rebellion. In 1799, Robert moved to the United States.
He started working in banking when he was young. He also got a good education in public schools in Philadelphia.
When the War of 1812 began, Patterson volunteered to serve. He quickly moved up in rank from a captain to a colonel in the Pennsylvania Militia. Later, he joined the regular United States Army. He worked in the Quartermaster General Department, which handles supplies for the army. He left the army in 1815 as a captain.
After the war, Patterson started a successful business. He built several mills and became very wealthy. He also became an important person in Pennsylvania politics.
Leading the Pennsylvania Militia
Patterson became the leader of the Pennsylvania State Militia. In 1838, he led his troops to stop riots in Philadelphia. These riots led to the destruction of Pennsylvania Hall.
Again in 1844, he helped stop more riots in Philadelphia. These were called the Philadelphia Bible Riots. During these events, General Patterson led his militia into fights with rioting civilians. Sadly, people on both sides were hurt or killed.
Fighting in the Mexican-American War
When the Mexican–American War started, Patterson became a major general of volunteers. He led the 2nd Division of the Army of Occupation. He was considered for a very important command to attack Veracruz, but Winfield Scott got that job instead.
However, Patterson did command the Volunteer Division for the Veracruz expedition. He fought in the Siege of Veracruz and was wounded at the Battle of Cerro Gordo. He led the American soldiers who chased the Mexican Army and was the first to enter Jalapa.
While the U.S. Army was in Jalapa, Patterson returned home. His time serving as a volunteer was over. He went back to his businesses in Pennsylvania. He bought 30 cotton mills and became one of the biggest mill owners in the United States. He also got involved in sugar refineries and cotton plantations. He continued to be a very influential person in Philadelphia politics.
Service in the Civil War
The American Civil War brought Patterson back to military service. He was made a major general of Pennsylvania volunteers. He commanded the Department of Pennsylvania and the Army of the Shenandoah.
In 1861, Winfield Scott, who was now the top general of the U.S. Army, gave Patterson orders to take back Harpers Ferry. Patterson did not act quickly enough on these orders. After the Battle of Hoke's Run, a Confederate army led by Joseph E. Johnston was able to march without being stopped. Johnston's army then joined forces with P. G. T. Beauregard at the First Battle of Bull Run. This allowed the Confederates to win that important battle.
However, Johnston later said that Patterson's army did stop him from chasing the Union troops as they retreated. Even so, many people criticized Patterson for not stopping the Confederate forces. He was removed from the Army in July 1861.
Life After the War
After his military service, Patterson went back to his cotton milling business. He also wrote a book about his experiences in the war. It was called A Narrative of the Campaign in the Valley of the Shenandoah, in 1861 and was published in 1865.
Patterson was also the president of the Aztec Club of 1847 from 1867 to 1881. This club was for officers who had served in the Mexican-American War. He was also a trustee for Lafayette College for many years and served as president of its trustees from 1876 to 1881.
Robert Patterson died in Philadelphia on August 7, 1881. He is buried there in Laurel Hill Cemetery. His son, Francis Engle Patterson, and his son-in-law, John Joseph Abercrombie, both became Union generals during the Civil War.
Patterson's large house was later bought by the Historical Society of Pennsylvania. It became their permanent home. The house was taken down between 1905 and 1909, and a new building was built in its place in 1910.
